Web services are open standard (XML, SOAP, HTTP, etc.) based web apppcations that interact with other web apppcations for the purpose of exchanging data. Web services can convert your existing apppcations into web apppcations. In this tutorial, you will learn what exactly web services are and why and how to use them.

Audience

This tutorial will be useful for all those readers incpned to learn the basics of web services and implement them in practice.

Prerequisites

This is an elementary tutorial that introduces the concepts of web services. It does not require the readers to have a prior knowledge of any technology in particular, however it would certainly make you comfortable if you have a basic understanding of XML, HTTP, TCP/IP concepts.